Leveling-rod.



W. G. LENKER. LEVBLING ROD.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908. 2 SHEETS SHEET 1;

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LEVELING ROD.

APPLIGATION FILED 1'33. 27, 1907.

PatenwdDec. 1, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 3140a ntoz 3.1-: 1 9 I?" eooeo co., WASHINGTON, n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

WILL G. LENKER, OF SUNBURY, PENNSYLVANIA.

LE VE LING-ROD.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILL G. LENKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunbury, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Leveling-Rods, of which the following is a specification.

My invention comprises improvements in surveyors leveling rods whereby the actual elevation can be read directly from the rod, thus dispensing with a large amount of the mental work and note taking which is required where the ordinary leveling rod is used, and also lessening the liability of error.

The construction, operation and advantages of my improved rod will be clear from the following description, taken in connection with the drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the rod; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same, on a larger scale, the rod being partly broken away; Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the rod partly extended; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4ll of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a front view of the band having a scale for indicating the fractions of a foot or other unit of measurement; Fig. 6 is a view showing the band having the numerals thereon for indicating the feet or other units of measurement, the band beingdivided into two parts, for convenience of illustration; Figs. 7 and 8 are front views of portions of the rod, illustrating the manner of adjusting the bands relatively to one another for the pur pose of exposing to view unit-indicating numerals of higher or lower orders, and Fig. 9 is a front view of the upper portion of the rod, partly extended.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawing, A indicates the rod as a whole, which is made in two sections, so as to be extensible. In the drawing, a indicates one of the sections, which comprises a back piece or support 1 upon which the other section a is movable. The section 0 consists of a long hollow frame having the sides 2 and the front and back pieces 2 and 2 The section a is movable longitudinally of the section a and is held thereon by guide pieces 3,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 27, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Serial No. 359,614.

secured to the top of the section a and extending around the front edges of the section a and by a guide strap a secured to the lower end of the section a and extending around the section a.

Two pairs of rollers, 5, 5 and 6, 6, respec tively are mounted between the sides of the section a. Upon the rollers 6, 6, which are at opposite ends of the frame, is arranged an endless band B, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 5. This band is an exact number of feet in length, and has a scale with marks 6 dividing each foot or unit of its length into fractions of a foot. Openings 6 are cut through the band opposite indicating marks which are one foot apart, and the fractional indicating marks between these openings are numbered consecutively. Approximately one half of the band B is always exposed to View, and these numbers read clownwardly on the exposed portion of the band. In the drawing, each foot or unit of length in the band is divided by the indicating marks into tenths of a foot or unit, and these marks or divisions are numbered from one to nine, the opening in the band being oppo site the last indicating mark of the unit. Upon the rollers 5, 5 is arranged another endless band, C, which is wholly within the band B and hidden from view except at points one foot or unit of distance apart, where it is exposed through the openings or windows I) in the fraction band B. This band, in Fig. 6, is shown in two parts 0 and c in order to show the numerals on the entire band. The band has, in all, one hundred numerals upon it, the adjacent numerals being arranged a shorter distance apart than the fraction indicating marks on the scale B. In this particular instance each foot or unit of the band B is divided into tenths of a foot or unit, while the band C ias eleven numerals to the foot. Those numerals on the band C which are one foot or unit of distance apart are in regular numerical order. Thus starting at the top of section 0,-00 appears at the top of the section, and the 12th number downward on the strip, which is supposed to be one foot distant, is 1. This number, in Fig. 6, is shown opposite the uppermost opening 6 in Fig. 5.

One foot or unit of distance lower down on the strip 0 is found the numeral 2-, with ten numerals intervening. In the drawing this numeral 2 is shown opposite another opening Z) in the band B. Similarly the numerals 3 and 4 are found one foot or unit of distance apart, opposite openings in the band B, Fig. 5, and, following down to the bottom of the part c of the strip and then downward on the part 0, which is supposed to be a continuation of the part c, the numeral 5 is found one foot or unit distant from the numeral 4, with ten numerals intervening. The numerals 6, 7, 8 and 9 are similarly arranged one foot or unit of distance apart in regular order on the part 0 of the band. The band, in this particular instance, is, therefore, approximately 9 feet long, but it carries numerals for indicating elevations anywhere between zero and one hundred feet. The lower end of the section 0 in Fig. 6 is supposed to be joined to the upper end of the section 0 so as to be continuous therewith, and it will be found that the numeral 10 on the section 0 is one foot distant from the numeral 9 at the end of the section 0, ten numerals intervening, and the numeral 11 is one foot distant from the numeral 10. In like manner, following around the band, it will be found that the numbers run in regular order, one foot apart, with ten numerals intervening, from zero to 99, and that the 11th numeral from 99, which is found on the section 0 in Fig. 6, is 00, which indi cates either zero or the hundred foot mark.

As shown in Fig. 7, the band B which is in front of the band C, covers up the latter except at points one foot or unit distance apart so that the numerals on the unit indicating band C are all covered up except those exposed through the openings in the fraction band or scale, and which run in regular numerical order. In Fig. 7, the numerals 2, 3 and t on the band C show through the openings in the band B and in Fig. 8 the bands are shifted relatively to one another so that the numerals 20, 21 and 22 show through the openings.

The bands are independently movable, and I also provide means for moving both bands simultaneously. For this latter purpose the unit band or scale C is provided with a row of perforations c opposite the numerals thereon, and having one perforation for each numeral on the band. The fraction scale or band B also has perforations 6 arranged the same distance apart as the perforations c on the unit scale or band C, and the per forations in both bands are arranged along their margins and adapted to register. A slide D is adjustable upon the section a of the rod, being held thereon by lugs 7 0n the slide which enter grooves or channels 8 in the sides of said section. This slide has an arm 9 extending to the front of the red, at one side, and a pawl 10 is pivoted to the arm 9. This pawl, as shown in the drawing, Fig. i, has one arm 1O adapted to extend through the perforations in the bands B and C and a spring 11 normally presses the finger piece 10 of the pawl in the direction to press the arm 10 toward the bands. A groove 12 extends longitudinally in the front piece 2 of the section a so that the end of the arm 10 will not bind upon the rod and will be free to slide in the groove 12. If the slide D in Fig. l, is moved downward to the bottom of the rod while the pawl is in engagement with perforations in the bands, both bands will move downward'together. In said figure the unit numerals 83, 84, 85 and 86 on the band C appear through openings in the band B. When the bands are moved downward by the slide D the successive openings in the band B will be brought to the front of the rod and as each opening in succession comes opposite the upper part of the band C a unit-indicating numeral, on the latter band, will appear through the opening and these numerals will be in regular order. By continuing .to move the two bands simultaneously the unit numerals from Zero to 100 will appear in succession at the openings in the fraction indicating band. The pawl can be disengaged from the bands by pressing on the finger piece 10 and the slide moved to a new position without moving the bands. lVhen it is desired to lock the bands in any position, a set screw l t in the slide is turned so as to engage the section a of the rod, and the pawl, which normally engages perforations in the bands, will then hold the latter against accidental movement.

In Figs. 3 and 9 the rod is shown partly extended, the rod-section a being moved upward relatively to the rod-section a. In extending the rod the clamp D is set at the upper end of the section a, as shown in Fig. 9, thus holding the front parts of the bands stationary at that point, with respect to the section a, and when the rod-section a, which carries the rollers and bands, is moved upward relative to the section a, the bands, being held stationary at one point will turn about the rollers and will be exposed to view above the top of the section 0. Thus, in Fig. 9 a portion of the fraction band, with one opening therein, is exposed above the top of the section a and the unit numeral 19 on the band C is exposed through said opening. A further upward movement of the rod-section a would bring into view another opening in the fraction band and the numeral 18 on the unit band. and so on until the rod reached its limit of extension.

An opening 1.5 (Fig. 4) is provided in one side of the section a of the rod so that access may be had to the bands for the purpose of moving either one relatively to the other when desired.

In operation the rodman places the rod upon a bench mark, the elevation of which is known to the surveyor. If this elevation is, say 19.0% feet above an assumed datum plane such as mean sea level, the surveyor sights through the leveling instrument and the rodman adjusts the scale bands so that the numeral 20 will appear in the opening above the point where the sight is taken on the rod and the numeral 3 on the band B below the unit numeral 20 will be at the point where the sight is taken on the rod. The set screw 14 in the slide D is then tightened so as to hold the bands stationary with respect to the section a of the rod. If, now, the rod is moved to a point which is one foot higher than the bench mark from which the leveling operations started, the leveling instrument will read one foot lower on the rod or at the mark below the numeral 21, indicating that the elevation of the point on which the rod is placed is 421 feet, or one foot higher than the bench mark from which the operation started. If the next point to which the rod is moved should be,

say one foot and two-tenths lower than the bench mark, the cross wires in the leveling instrument would fall on the first fractional mark on the band B below the numeral 19 (see Fig. 9) showing that the elevation on the point upon which the rod was then standing was 419% feet above the common datum plane. If the next point upon which the rod is placed should be still lower, by several feet, the rod would be extended so as to bring the lower unit numerals 18, 1'7, 16, etc., into view.

It will be seen that the readings taken from the rod are the direct readings or actual elevations and it is unnecessary for the surveyor to make additions or subtractions for each sight taken, as is necessary with the ordinary rods. The surveyor always knows the height in hundreds of feet of the territory in which he is working and it is, therefore, unnecessary for him to carry in mind the hundreds except when he has worked so far up or down as to pass beyond a hundred mark in one direction or the zero mark in the other.

It will be seen that by shifting the unit band or scale relatively to the fraction band or scale any number on the former can be brought to view to indicate the elevation of the bench mark from which the operation commenced, and that thereafter direct readings can be taken from the rod thus saving a great deal of time and mental effort and avoiding largely the possibilities of error.

If the bands are-set for working from a bench mark having an elevation approximately 420 feet, as before supposed, and it is desired to set the bands for operating from another mark having an elevation of say 186 feet, it is not necessary to move the two bands simultaneously until all the numbers between 20 and 86 have been brought to view, which would require several complete turns of the bands. All that is necessary to make the change is to shift one of the bands relatively to the other for a distance of less than a foot in either direction until numbers near to the desired number appear at the openings in the bands B, and then move the bands simultaneously until the number 86, is in line with the leveling instrument. By reference to the part 0 of the band C, in Fig. 6, it will be seen that the number 83 appears less than one foot or unit of distance above the numeral 20, and that the numeral 8 1 appears less than one foot or unit of distance below the numeral 20. Therefore, in order to expose the numeral 86 at an opening near the top of the rod, on a level with the leveling instrument, the band C will be pulled downward until the numerals 83, 84, etc., appear at the openings in the band B, as shown in Fig. 1, and then both bands will be moved upward together by means of the slide D until the number 86 is in line with the leveling instrument. Or, instead of moving the band C downward to bring the numerals in the eighties into view, this band may be moved upward; or the band C may be held stationary and the band B adjusted up or down until the numerals in the eighties appear, after which both bands will be moved together until 86 appears at the right level. The bands are adjusted in a similar manner for working at any elevation. Vith my improved leveling rod direct readings of the actual elevations are made possible by the arrangement of the numerals so that they read from above downward, and by reason of adjustability of the unit scale and the provision of numerals thereon for indieating any desired elevation. In an ordinary rod the numerals read from the bottom upward, and the number of unit-indicating numerals employed is limited by the length of the rod to which they are aflixed, and for these several reasons direct reading of actual elevations is impossible with the ordinary leveling rod.

hile I have shown the fraction scale upon an endless band, and that arrangement is preferred, the fraction scale might be fixed upon the rod-section a and I do not wish to limit myself to the use of an endless band for indicating the fractions of units. By employing an endless band for the unit scale, and arranging the numerals thereon as shown and hereinbefore described, I am able, with a very short band, to obtain direct read ings on the rod for any elevations between zero and one hundred. lVith a longer rod than that shown in the drawing, a longer band might be used for the unit scale, with fewer numerals per unit of length of the band.

The scales may obviously be arranged for other units and fractions than feet and tenths of feet; but ordinarily for use in English speaking countries, the scales of my leveling rod will be made to read in feet and tenths of feet.

l hat I claim is- 1. A surveyors leveling rod, comprising two relatively movable sections an endless band arranged upon one of said sections, said band having numerals arranged in regular numerical order at one foot or unit distance apart and reading, at the front of the rod, from above downwardly, the adjacent numerals on the band being less than one foot or unit of distance apart, means for eX- posing the numerals of said band to view only at points unit distance apart, and a clamp adjustable along the other section of the rod and having means for engaging said band.

2. In a surveyors leveling rod, the combination with the rod of two relatively adjustable bands thereon, one having a fraction scale and being provided with openings one foot or unit distance apart, and the other having unitindicating numerals arranged in regular order at unit distance apart and adapted to register with said openings.

3. In a surveyors leveling rod, the combination with the rod of two. relatively adjustable bands thereon, one having a fraction scale and being provided with openings one foot or unit distance apart, and the other having unitindicating numerals arranged in regular order at unit distance apart and adapted to register with said openings, the adjacent numerals on the latter band being less than unit distance apart.

. 4. A surveyors leveling rod comprising two sections, two endless bands carried by one of said sections, one of said bands having marks for indicating fractions of a foot or unit and having openings at unit distance apart, and the other band having unit-inclicating numerals arranged in regular numerical order at unit distance apart and adapted to register with said openings, the adjacent numerals on the latter band being less than unit distance apart, and a clamp adjustable on the other section of the rod and adapted to engage said bands.

In a surveyors leveling rod, two bands, one having marks for indicating fractions of a foot or unit, and openings at unit distance apart, and the other band having unit-inclicating numerals arranged in regular numerical order at unit distance apart, the adjace nt numerals on the latter band being less than unit distance apart and said bands having alined perforations spaced the same distance apart.

6. A surveyors leveling rod comprising two sections, two endless bands carried by one of said sections, one of said bands having a fraction scale and the other having a unit scale, said bands having alined perforations spaced the same distance apart, and a clamp adapted to be secured to the other section of the rod, said clamp carrying a pawl adapted to engage the perforations in the bands.

In testimony whereof I atfiX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ILL G. LENKER.

Witnesses ROBERT WATSON, LILLIAN L. HINKEL. 

